Neutral kitchen with lavender painted island

The practical central island is the main focal point in the room. Hand-painted lavender woodwork gives the room depth and makes an attractive subtle contrast against its white marble worktop. Three aluminium pendant lights hang above, adding an industrial and modern twist.

Cream kitchen with shaker style cabinets

As fans of solid wood, the owners employed a kitchen design company to design a layout, and had unpainted, handmade cabinets installed. They then commissioned a local decorater to paint the units in situ, which kept the costs low. Cute, colourful accessories – like the heart-printed tea pot – add a touch of fun to the neutral scheme.

Contemporary white kitchen with undermount sink

Contemporary elements like the undermount sink and a sleek, square mixer-tap built into the island creates a modern look. This makes a great option for those with a sociable kitchen space. A white and grey marble worktop is stylish and hygienic and will work well in a modern or traditional scheme.

White kitchen with mix and match cupboard handles

Limestone floor tiles and white painted walls keep the kitchen looking minimal, allowing the lavender island to take centre stage. Intergrated appliances are practical and sleek. Mixing cup handles and knob handles adds subtle interest to the drawers and cupboards. Glass storage jars for pasta, flour and so on are pretty as well as practical and are cheap to buy, too.

White kitchen with handmade drawers and vintage handles

Handmade drawers and units made with good-quality wood are professional and long-lasting, so well worth the investment. Vintage style metal pull handles stay in-keeping with the shaker period. Cup handles like these will also work in a more industrial scheme – on an apothecary-style chest, for example. Similar metal pull handlesIkea

Image credit: David Parmiter

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White and lavender kitchen with industrial-style breakfast bar

Three white metal stools convert the island into a breakfast bar – a simple look that creates a laid-back, relaxed feel. The pendant lights and worker-style stools are a nod to the industrial trend, but are softened thanks to their white finish. The combination of the country-style wood panelling on the island unit and the more urban lines of the stools sums up exactly what it is about this kitchen that makes it so effortlessly chic.

White and lavender kitchen with floor-to-ceiling cupboards

Floor-to-ceiling cupboards make good use of space and continue the streamlined flow of the room. A pull-out larder is ideal for keeping groceries organised and within easy reach. If you need an extra boost to reach the top shelves, a white-painted step ladder tucked away in a corner will come in handy and will also pick up on the softened industrial theme started by the bar stools and pendant lights.

The kitchen before the renovation

The owners employed builders to remove walls, install electrics and fit the new bespoke cupboards. The project took five months to complete, transforming the kitchen from a cramped, impractical space to an open-plan, family-friendly room which looks more expensive than it actually was.